Thursday, November 19 – Friday, November 20
Bridget, Reggie, and I plan to stay in this campsite for two weeks or for as long as it remains peaceful, private, and quiet.
Midland Long Term Visitor Area, northwest of Blythe, California
Soon after the crew and I settle into camp, we have a visitor!
A hummingbird buzzes over the blue mat past our door.
The Big Maria Mountains east of our camp
I should put up a hummingbird feeder. I open up the back of the Perfect Tow Vehicle and stare at the landfill contained therein. Hmm . . . Now where did I put that pole?
Several months ago while drifting the aisles of a dollar store I discovered a curved rod designed for hanging pots of flowers or whatever. Oh, here it is!
I also dig out the strawberry hummingbird feeder.
Soon I’m at the stove inside the Best Little Trailer heating water to make a four-waters-to-one-sugar solution.
The rod is shaped like a lower case h at the bottom. Using my rubber mallet I hit the horizontal part of the h until it the rod is driven well into the ground. After checking its stability — great! –– I fill up the feeder and hang it.
How nice. I can watch from my lounger.
I only have to wait about twenty minutes.
In the afternoon another one appears and an aerial skirmish occurs above the feeder. I can’t tell who wins this battle for territory. I like to think it’s the original visitor. In any case, hummers are delightful visitors to camp!
The next day . . .
I’m in my lounger reading.
Our hummingbird friend makes several forays to the feeder from his perch in the ironwood tree at the edge of our camp.
(Photo at left is not mine; it’s a copyright-free download.)
I turn my lounger so I can watch him while he’s in the tree as well as at the feeder.
Apparently he has a favorite branch upon which to rest his little body.
His perch is a tiny twig that perfectly fits hummingbird feet.
After drinking his fill of sugar water, he returns to his perch which isn’t very far from where I sit. Bridget and Reggie are nearby on the mat, paying no notice. Then the hummingbird begins to sing!
What? I didn’t know hummers could sing!
Cornell’s All About Birds website describes the song I hear:
“Anna’s Hummingbirds have a distinctive song that is long for a hummingbird (10 seconds or more). It’s a series of buzzes, then a clearer, more tuneful whistle, followed by more emphatic chip notes; then the bird may repeat the whole set of buzz-whistle-chip sounds.”
You can hear the song, too, by clicking this link.
Another visitor to our camp!
I’m standing at my folding table set up alongside the BLT, washing dishes in a basin, when Reggie jumps to his feet (jumps to his paws?) and stares at the leg of the table.
“What is it, boy?”
Oh, my, it’s a horned toad! I grab the camera. The toad, which actually is a lizard, remains motionless.
“Your camouflage usually works great, little guy, but not on this bright blue mat!”
I take a few photos and then move the crew away.
Horny the Toad soon disappears underneath the BLT. He’s visited us twice since we first met him. To see excellent, close-up photos and to learn more about the Desert Horned Lizard, click this link to Desert USA.
Reggie goes under the BLT.
“You better not be getting Horny under there, Reggie!”
Ta-dum!
~ ! ~
Saturday, November 21
The crew and I have hung around camp for a few days. Typical of us. Today I feel like going somewhere.
“Let’s take a drive up to Midland and see a ghost town!”
Across the desert we go, heading northwest on straight Midland Road.
We pass the calcium carbonate quarry.
“Calcium carbonate is the active ingredient in agricultural lime . . . . It is commonly used medicinally as a calcium supplement or as an antacid.” — Wikipedia
I scan the desert for boondockers.
This is Bureau of Land Management land and you can camp for free as long as you’re one mile outside the border of the Long Term Visitor Area. However, I only see one camper all the way to Midland, a stretch of about 12 miles of road across acres and acres of flat desert.
It’s either a truck camper or a Class C, tucked way back from the road. Some areas of the desert aren’t appealing for camping.
The Big Maria Mountains are on our right.
I recall the book by Johnny Shaw that I enjoyed very much — Big Maria
Before we reach Midland, the Little Marias come into view on the opposite side of the road.
Well, that must be Midland up ahead . . .
Looks like a few RVs and trailers . . .
We come to a rusted vehicle with a sign saying “Do not remove. Midland Historical Society.”
A bit further and a “tree” of ball caps appears.
A cross stands above it all . . .
The road curves a few times as it approaches Midland, the ghost town. When I hear “ghost town” I think of false storefronts, the old hotel, the bank, the saloon . . . old-timey Western things. I’m all set to have fun taking photos.
The entrance to Midland sets a different scene.
One encounters a big “No Trespassing, Private Property” sign against a background of abandoned vehicles and various junk.
Fine with me. We’re leaving.
I turn the Perfect Tow Vehicle around and we head back to camp.
Well, it looks like the best part of this little excursion is seeing the Big Marias!
I’m not disappointed.
rvsue
NOTE: I planned to write a post about Long Term Visitor Areas such as the one the crew and I are camped in at present (Midland). I’ve decided not to do that. Many questions, answers, and comments about LTVAs came in under the previous post. Rather than me repeating that information in a post, you can learn about camping in LTVAs in southwestern Arizona and southeastern California by reading the comment section under “Midland LTVA, Blythe, CA.”
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Good afternoon!
Good afternoon, Judy, and CONGRATULATIONS ON BEING FIRST! 🙂
Dear Blogorinos,
I turn the comments over to you. I’m going to take a break and also give you a break from me! Please answer questions, make new blogorinos feel welcome, and feel free to bring up topics of interest to you.
Thanks,
Sue
?
Good morning Blogerinos! It’s getting cloudy here in northern CA and temps headed down. With hubby in radiation treatment we plan a quiet week.
I’ve been there, done that and everytime I see someone else go through it I just feel so bad for them. I hope today is a good day for your husband and that you can snuggle in and have your own peaceful healing holiday.
Thanks Sally. This is his 3rd time through radiaton ( first for original tumor in palate, second prostate, and now recurrence of original tumor now in neck). We have just Thursday off as the Dr told us today she really does not want him out of treatment for 4 straight days, so Friday it’s off to UCD as usual. He is 6 days in and a bit tired but so far ok. Keeping fingers crossed he does not get too bad with side effects by Christmas. All goes well he will finish Dec 30. Thanks also Cristina. As ou see we are in Roseville, where are you?
Hi Velda,
We’re in Northern California too. We’re waiting for the big storm tomorrow. My daughter commutes to Truckee so tomorrow she’ll spend the night as its suppose to be white out conditions. Wednesday, I’m off to see my oncologist. Did radiation many moons ago. Just tell him to rest all he needs. 🙂
Hope you are in a safe haven Sue. The weather looks terrible in the west. Since I am directionally challenged I have no idea where you are. Stay safe and watch out for bad weather. I do worry about y’all out there. Here in north central Texas we are expecting anywhere from 2 to 6 inches of rain just in time for Thanksgiving. ? Will be thinking of y’all…
Wow, Cool critters you have encountered lately. I love the hummingbird feeder, it really makes your site homey. How odd about the ghost town. You really come across some interesting things in the desert–this example and I was just reading in the DIYRV blog about the Desert Bar, which is closer to Quartzite. I think I would like to make the trek out there one day to see this place (the desertbar, not the ghost town you weren’t allowed in to.)
Ah yes…beautiful day for a drive.
Hope your stay remains peaceful!
Always nice to get out for a drive – even if you turn around at the so-called destination!
I love the hummingbird feeder and stand. They are like little jewels and I enjoy the sound their wings make when they are nearby. Of course I also can’t help thinking about the Perky Pet feeder and how you took care of it 😀 😀 (BTW, maybe you have mentioned it, but what kind of feeder are you using now and does it leak?).
I admire the way you make your “home” in the area just outside your camper. Very nice and always inspires me. If I ever change rigs I envision a van with small trailer and the space to carry all of the outside accouterments with me.
Oops, somehow I missed that you are taking a break from commenting this post. So no need to answer on the hummingbird feeder now.
It’s a no-name feeder, 4 bucks at Big Lots.
Okay I’m outta’ here! 🙂
That would be method 205/75/15! ?
With a few “back and forths” for good measure 😀
???
size tires you used to run it over with?
Bingo! We have a winner!
“Every problem has a solution” — February 2013
Thanks for the link,Sue, hilarious! I don’t think you really ran it over though,did you?For a couple of reasons.First,if it shattered you’d sweep half the desert to be sure you didn’t spoil the environment or endanger critters that might eat or be cut by the shards.And second because though you have thoughts such as shooting a cheap generator that’s annoyed everyone for days(as you recently encountered when no one would stay camped near the guy that ran it) you aren’t exactly “the violent type”. Of course, I may be wrong, if so it’s even funnier.
Oh, I killed that feeder dead, no mistake about it. 🙂
Wow,I’m proud of you!Thanks for the laugh!!!
Ahhh, No Ghost Town photos,, But the Maria’s look great Sue,,, I was wondering when you were going to put the Humming Bird feeder out and I didn’t know that they a song,, Hope the Horny Toad is doing ok,,,, Piper says Hi and Have a great day you 3,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, rusty
This is a neat area! For the desert, I like it! Have a great week Sue!
Well not first, but getting closer than over the last few postings.
Love the hummingbirds, Curious about what they feed on in the desert if nothing is blooming?
I don’t know the answer. But I’m camped near a palo verde tree and they seem to come around it often. Maybe they are getting something from it that I can’t see? I also wonder if they “tap into” cacti? Good question!
The link that Sue provided did not provide the answer either. But, it is thought that Anna’s Hummingbirds are able to winter so far north because their diets contain a larger proportion of insects and arachnids than most hummingbirds. Lots of people putting out lots of hummingbird feeders make it possible also.
No tapping into cacti.
Reason I thought they might is I have seen so many photos posted of hummers going up to cactuses (such as if you google “hummingbird cactus” and then go to “images”).
But maybe that’s only when they are blooming (which is not now) and/or not this type of hummingbird.
After reading your last two posts I’ve decided I might not be a desert kinda girl. I am hoping it is different than it looks in pictures. (and you take wonderful pictures by the way) It makes me think of refugees after a war. It’s barren, even the mountains look dead. Might be my mid-west upbringing but I need green and fertile. Of course I will have to visit to see for myself. Either way I love your posts and all the information the hold and I’m glad to see the you and the crew are content in your new “home”.
I hear what you are saying. I’m from the Great Lakes area and so summer is always green and lush. Of course we are in the desert in winter. Maybe some folks would also find a northern winter “barren” what will all the white ground, dark empty branches, etc.
But (other than temperature) I find a lot of commonalities between what I could appreciate about winter and what I see to enjoy in the desert. Namely, you have to look a little harder and appreciate the little things. like how a barren shrub with red branches looks nice against white snow. Or how bright he cardinals look on the feeder when all is grey around them.
Or maybe like being at sea, where it all “looks the same” until you start focusing on the sky and the nuances of the water.
Don’t get me wrong: I CRAVE lush deciduous trees, or a stand of fragrant pines by spring time. The desert still isn’t my “native” beautiful space. But I find a lot to like: The sky with a full tableau of stars like a bowl above me. The amazing sunsets. The sense of space and openness. The amazing way certain flowers and shrubs thrive (how on earth?). And there is green: The amazing Sonoran desert, for example (where there are saguaro cactus).
And too, I just can never “get over” spending time outside, in January, feeling the gentle warmth of the sun. Couldn’t do that back home!
Still, it’s not for everyone. And not even for me in more than seasonal doses. Probably wouldn’t be my choice if offered “one climate” to live in. But I have grown to love it just the same. Especially in January 😀
PS: Sometimes what there “isn’t” is nice too. Like mosquitoes!
You summed that up beautifully, Sidewinder Pen! The other thing I find so fascinating about the desert is the light and how it changes the landscape around you.
Oh yes, the light – how could I forget to mention that. Especially as it “walks” a glow up the side of a rocky face. Sublime.
Pam and Maya,
Oh yes! That wonderfully special desert light! It is one of the things I love most in that region. Chasing the light – a photographer’s dream. Even in fog the shadows cast a light all their own, so beautiful dawn or dusk.
I second the mosquitos and add
the humidty that we have in SE Texas…
I dont think Eden is around anymore
chuck
says Pen, “PS: Sometimes what there “isn’t” is nice too. Like mosquitoes!”
Boy is that the truth in spades, lol. I remember those nasty things from my years in Minne-snow-ta.
Bigger than a C 130 and came at you like a Huey with full battle rattle!
I don’t miss them or the snow.
Leesa, I don’t remember if you are new or not. If so, welcome to Sue’s blogorinos. The desert has some really pretty areas. You might want to check some of Sue’s posts from last fall & winter. Being from various cities east of the Mississippi, I have very little experience in the west, but was totally blown away by the beauty of the desert all of which was seen in the photos here, since 2011.
Also one rarely needs a shovel to get out their front door in the desert. 🙂
Hummingbirds are just the best, aren’t they? I live in Lancaster, PA and have been feeding them for many years now. This past summer as I was reading on my front porch, a hummingbird kept coming up to my face and just hovering there to check me out. They are curious little buggers. You are so fortunate you found a hungry one in the middle of nowhere. Enjoy!
Great to have a link to hear a hummingbird song. Used to have a feeder for them and really enjoyed watching the hummingbirds and hearing them fight over the feeder. And the sound of their wings in flight. I didn’t know they sing! Thank you for that, Sue.
I’m curious too as to what they eat out there. Enjoy your peaceful home.
#17……hmmm……..Im slowing down….or you snuck this
post in on me whilest I wasnt looking………..
chuck
The later! ?
So disappointed that the Ghost town was off limits! Bah Humbug! Oh well, the hummingbirds made up for that disappointment big time! I love hummers! I guess you remember that from Zion days! I have a few that visit here, but not often!
I want to wish everyone a very happy Thanksgiving day, lots of turkey and pumpkin pie! ???. Hopefully, Sue, you have enough roast chicken to share with the crew and pumpkin pie too!
Sending love, hugs and spare calories your way! Hahahahaha!
Geri, Chuck, and The Boyz !!!
Happy Thanksgiving to you Geri, Chuck and the Boyz!
Thank you Shirlene! Same to you!
This post’s story reminds me of Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz.You left to find something and realized the best was right there in your own backyard … Thanks for the birdsong link,you know I love those! This one surprised me with how the hummingbirds tuneful whistle is so similar to how my finches sing. I’ll take that as my postcard from you while you’re away 🙂
For a lizard Horny sure is a handsome fellow.Nice of him to visit you even though you don’t feed him with things you found in “the landfill contained therein”-funny line,Sue,ha! Enjoy the break,yourself and your lovable crew.
Hi Sue, Crew and Blogorinos,
Just stopping by to appreciate the desert camp, the Marias,the hummingbirds, horny toad/lizard, and all of you! I have almost no time to comment lately but still enjoy visiting here. The warmest, yummiest, and most joyful Thanksgiving holiday to all of you.
Warm regards,
cateW
(Mobile AL) Love the blog and pics. Curious what the black looking spike/nail thingys are in the lower right corner of pix of red feeder with mountains in background? Mushrooms? Haha.
They look like old-time railroad spikes arranged into a “garden.”
Midland, California >
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Midland,_California
http://tinyurl.com/MidlandCA
Slab Town
I love the desert…it has it’s own beauty….but of course people trash it and things don’t grow like they should after the plants are trampled. Love the hummingbirds…they live in Phoenix almost year around. I hear them clicking and clacking when they are migrating south in August/September and going north in February/March. Even now I heard them in the mornings outside my window and while I sit in the back yard in evenings. My younger sister caught one recently and we took turns blessing ourselves with the small bird and let it go. The hummer sat right next to sister Sue and all she did was reach over and pick it up gently. The hummer was very calm and wasn’t stressed at all.
I feed them in my patio. Fresh nectar every four days. They are Anna’s and they are here year round. I love to watch them defend “their” feeder. I saw a video of a feeder in Alaska and there were dozens using it many at the same time. I never see that, one always chases others off. They are very possessive.
I have a mother cat and three kittens so I don’t put a feeder out for hummers. I’m always afraid the cats might get them. I haven’t found a long enough pole to attach a feeder.
Can’t wait to get our hummingbird feeder up–thank you for the link. They’re amazing little guys.
So this is THE Big Maria’s? I loved that book–thank you for the recommendation, Sue. Another other recommendations–every book you’ve recommended has been top notch!
Enjoy your days!
How exciting! Hummingbirds and horny toads are some of my favorite critters! Well truth be told there aren’t many critters I don’t like. But anyway, it was really a treat to see your visitors. There used to be lots of horny toads around when I was a kid but it’s been many years since I’ve seen one. Had no idea that hummingbirds sing, such amazing little creatures!
Years ago when I was small, my dad truck farmed cabbage. When we plowed our 10 acres we always had horned toads. I used to play with them a few minutes before letting them go their way again. They are cute in their way.
Hi Sue,
I need to take the next step towards getting some solar love! I have done research on what i will probably need but don’t know who/where to go to find out specifics. Renology is a good company? Anyone else you or other bloggerinos recommend? Thanks in advance for any suggestions!
I moved today & found that i am lousy at finding good boondocks. I see yours & other people’s & wonder how you do it! Of course it could also be the area i’m in too. Have a few things to do here in “civilization” yet, then i’ll head out more into the wilderness & hopefully i’ll have better luck. ?
Love your new place! Wish i could try it out sometime, but they don’t like my kind – tiny & tankless. ?
Hi, Jordan,
For ideas south of you, do an internet search (not my blog search) for these subjects: “RVSue + KOFA” …. “RVSue + Mittry” …. “RVSue + Ogilby” ….. “RVSue + Bouse” … Maybe you will find something that suits you, although these are not close to Parker.
You have discovered the difficulty of making a commitment and then trying to locate camps near that commitment. Whenever possible, find the camp(s) prior to making the commitment. I don’t know if you had any choice in the present situation. Just a general tip I’m sharing for anyone interested.
About solar… I see Renogy products rated 5-star by Amazon customers. I’ve never heard anything negative about the company. For solar installation, Starlight Solar in Yuma has an impeccable reputation. People go to them from other states. They did well by me twice. I had an 8 am appt. and they let me camp in their parking lot the night before. Then the battery needed a slow charge, so they let me stay another night hooked up to their electric. Starlight Solar will reply to emails, too.
I hope you don’t become discouraged about finding boondocks. The Parker area is crowded with snowbirds and the surrounding desert is an OHV playground. And, as you found out, they can be very inconsiderate. I’ve had them drive around my campsite (laughing at me), too.
If you don’t have the Benchmark atlases for CA and AZ, you’d be wise to get them, when possible.
BLOGORINOS: Any suggestions for Jordan? (who, BTW is female, so you’ll know which pronoun to use in your reply)….
Wow, thanks Sue for all the great info – both on boondocks & solar. I when i’m done with my projects in “civilization” i’ll definitely check some of those boondock areas out. Found a decent spot for now – gorgeous view! Lots of people in the area but not right on top of each other (yet!). ?. I knew i’d encounter the ATV’s in Parker, and with the holiday week too – wasn’t sure which way it woukd go – more or fewer.
I looked briefly at Renologh’s website & will do some more research & give them a call. Don’t think i can afford solar yet, but really need it so i can earn some much needed $$$. Always a catch 22.
Thank you again for your kindness & generosity with your vast knowledge & experience. I appreciate it very much!
You’re welcome, Jordan!
Hi Jordan,
A couple of thoughts. One is that although I’m no expert on the area, I don’t think it’s the best place to find “quiet” boondocks. Being near Q means there are lots of RV-ers around, and then the Parker/LHC corridor seems to be pretty “engine” oriented.
And yeah, you can’t do the LTVA — but to my mind that’s not a huge loss (I see LTVA for the most part for social people who have bigger rigs and like to plunk down for months at a time – not that it has to be that way of course).
Maybe peruse Sue’s blog and maybe Google a bit to find areas “not near Q” and try those? Ajo area comes to mind, although I have not been there. The first winter I was here I tended to bounce around a bit just seeing what I liked and didn’t like. I got a lot of ideas from searching the web (although of course other people get those same ideas). But once you go to some of these areas, you can compare them to what you see on the map, and then look for OTHER areas that maybe aren’t as popular once you know what you are looking for.
Then too, a huge percentage of RV-ers is in the lower altitude areas of AZ in winter, so don’t be too hard on yourself if you can’t always find super secluded boondocks. I think they are easier to find in summer, when you can go up in altitude and plus there are dozens of states with good weather where RV-ers can spread out.
PS: Generally too, the more “convenient” a boondock is (i.e. close to town, etc.) the more popular it is – especially in winter.
PPS: I’m also in a “less than secluded” boondock and for the same reason: I have things to do that involve town, so I stay nearby. Partly that’s because I see winter as my time to get things done, and summer more as play time. Not that its a hard division of course.
Thanks Sidewinder Pen,
I’m starting to get a sense that great boondocks may not be so prevalent in this more “metropolis” area. That’s OK, i’m still practicing – just want to stay away from the hordes of ATV’s. A few i can deal with. I have been looking online as well for other places & when i’m done in this area i’ll head to more out of the way places & see how i do. There’s definitely a learning curve. I think the hardest thing i’ve had to deal with so far is trying to first FIND the dirt roads then second, turn off a busy road onto said dirt road slowly so i don’t break my car! ?
Thank you for your support & help this first 1 1/2 weeks! I really appreciate your wisdom as well!
Isn’t that the truth. You have to find the road, but that’s only half of it. You still have to get slowed down in time to turn, plus not get clobbered by people behind you going highway speeds.
Presuming you are still enthusiastic about boondocking after you leave this area/this season, I think you’ll be very happy with what you can find. Not that it’s not nice here (hey, we’re not shoveling snow!), but there are a lot of RV-ers in a relatively small area (I-10 to I-40, Hwy 95, the river, Q, Parker, etc).
Hi Jordan,
Not sure if you will see this but… I think I may have passed your camp this evening when I was driving. If that is you (rather distinctive teardrop + minivan :D), and you want to talk solar, I’d be happy to pop over sometime. Only thing is… I have to confess I have a bit of a double standard. See, on the one hand I think it would be fun to meet you (or other blogorinos); but on the other hand I have a sort of “phobia” about people stopping by my camp (I can relate to RV Sue in that way) so I tend to keep to myself because otherwise it doesn’t seem “fair.”
Anyway, all this to say that if you want a blogorino drop in, just say the word. And if not, no worries at all!
Let’s hope we survive the onslaught of Thanksgiving ATV folks mostly unscathed (and un-dust-coated). If the wind swings back north (which it should) that will help.
So, that said, normally I would just keep to myself and vice-versa – but if you are the type who likes visitors I’d stop by. And if not, then not (rest assured).
Hi again Sidewinder Pen,
Yep, that probably was me! I haven’t seen another teardrop anywhere along my trip out west so chances are teardrop & minivan = me.
I would love to talk solar & get some first hand suggestions if you are up for it. If it makes it easier for you, & to keep your space secluded, you are more than welcome to come to my camp. I don’t mind. That way you still keep your privacy. But if you prefer to just enjoy your solitude, i totally understand – no worries at all. I understand about meeting people you only know virtually; i think it’s easier to just meet a complete stranger. I plan to be around tomorrow working on projects. I don’t know where you saw me, but i was first parked on the north side of the road up against a hill, i then moved down the road about 20 or 30 yards (toward the entrance) & am now on the south side. I’m still working out the kinks of camping on the road so i’m not quite as organized or simplified as i’d like to be! I guess that equates with saying, sure you can come over but the house is a mess! ?
Hi Jordan,
I can relate! Small spaces are easy to clean (once you get the base situation worked out) but very easy to mess up! Have just one project going, and it’s easy to make it look like it’s been ransacked 😀
Your suggestion sounds perfect, so I will stop by sometime tomorrow. I’ll hail you and not just barge up to the door. Since it’s AZ, we can always just hang around outdoors, too.
Sounds good. See you tomorrow! Sleep well being rocked by this wind!
Tomorrow will be my last day at work for 4 days!….love it! Happy Thanksgiving to all and I hope everyone is thankful for all they have and do this holiday. I hope to head out to a Wildlife area on Friday to check out the birding and to walk off the Thanksgiving feast that I am sure I will eat way too much of (sorry for the dangling preposition Sue, of which I will eat too much!) I will still be following the blog and looking for Sue’s return from her break and very intertaining new posts.
Later alligators!
Shirlene of HB,,, is that offer still on that you told me about the cloth with my dogs photo? ,,,,,,,,, rusty
Up here in Northern Pa, the hummingbird feeders attract a different sort.We only use them out west when we snowbird.
This summer a bear cracked off the top and chugged it down like a beer.Right on my rear deck.Soda pop for bears.Also, we had a suet feeder on the second story.The bear climed up the side of the house, got halfway up, then his weight took down seven rows of vinyl siding.Suet is like Milky Ways for bears.
Missy, you deserve a nice peaceful stay there. Take a long encampment as you will be staying in the desert for winter might as well kinda slow down your moving around I would think. Gonna so see the “naked book seller” this year? Hahahahaha Take care and have fun.
Hummingbirds and horny toad. Such a contrast, and each very cool in their own way. Bummer on the ghost town. I was thinking we’d see some old timey buildings.
Looks like you are in for a peaceful stay at your new camp, Sue – at least I hope so.
Still bright and sunny here in Upstate NY, but the temps are beginning to fall. I guess we have to expect it at some point.
Sunny? It’s been snowing up here….darn freezing to boot!
Silly something named a horny toad is not a frog! Think we ate at a restaurant called Horny Toad…near Cave Creek AZ. Was wondering then, why the decorations appear to be gecko and lizards…….duh!
I been there
How was dinner?
Dinner was good. I was very happy to show them how glad I was that they did what they did.
Alan,,, Have a safe and Great Thanks Giving,,,,,, Piper n’ rusty
??
Cindy n’ Jules,, You 3 ladies Have a warm, safe Happy Thanks Giving Too!,,,,,,,,, Piper n’ me
I saw that. We are trying to decide if we should head up to the mountains for the weekend, although I don’t think there was too much snow in the Wells/Speculator area.
Hi Sue Bridget and Reggie………………I hope you didn’t think I had abandoned you, but I have just spent the last 2 weeks catching up on the posts I missed while I was holidaying for 5 weeks in South America. So pleased to be able to see where you have been, what you have been up to during my absence. Its always good to come home and reflect on a holiday, especially one like I have just done. I loved hearing about the humming birds you have encountered as it brought back such lovely memories for me…….of the humming birds I was able to photograph in Peru. They truly are magical birds and I didn’t know they had a song either. Wonderful to be caught up with your travels once again. Hugs to the two doggies!
Great to have you back with us, Glenda!
Sue
I just bought a Kindle Fire on Amazon thru your website
for the wifey for Christmas so check to make
sure you get credit on it….if ya dont I’ll send
it back. hope your having a pleasant week out
there in the middle of nowhere…..HA!
chuck
chuck, you are a sweetheart! Giving your wife such a nice gift, and one for me, too. Thank you very much. It hasn’t shown up yet, but I’m sure it will. Feel free to ask me again about it if I neglect to confirm the order for you.
It just popped up on the orders report! Thanks again, chuck!
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!!!!
Chuck
Too bad Midland is private property. It could become Slab City East.
I suspect that is exactly what the owners are trying to avoid
Sue
I know how much you like birds….came across this the other day
this article is on Texas Sand Hill Cranes that migrate to Texas
every year and are making a come back….
chuck
https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Sandhill_Crane/lifehistory
Thank you, Chuck. I played the sound and it took me back to one of our early camps in NM. We woke to that sound. I looked up and out the window, the cranes were flying right over us. I hope you see lots of cranes in Texas.
they winter down here on the coast….they caught an idiot
a year or two ago that had shot one of them but he paid a
hefty price…..Texans dont like their animals being poached…
chuck